the glory of advocacy.

today was Social Work Day at the legislature. it was an incredible opportunity to come together with other social work students from Texas and visit our state capital to advocate for the oppressed. in between doughnuts and coffee, we listened to speakers tell stories of clients that had "fallen through the cracks;" these stories were meant to remind us why we were in Austin in the first place. 

one story went like this:

  a woman named Kelsey had been found on the streets of Indiana nearly frozen to death after spending the night in 14 degree weather. an emergency shelter took her in, and inquired why she had not sought shelter from the only other shelter offered in the area. it was determined that the main shelter turned her away because she was a transgendered person. because she came in wearing pink jumpsuits and lipstick and makeup and would not present herself as a man, she was denied shelter at the faith-based organization. 

THE WOMAN NEARLY FROZE TO DEATH!

many other stories of clients and advocacy projects were shared and my heart continued to stir over how it is that I am to shine God's glory?? I'm currently reading Desiring God by John Piper, and he explains that God created us out of His glory so that in our creation, we might glorify Him! sounds bizarre and might be hard to grasp (so read the book?)... but, during this morning meeting, my brain was buzzing with thoughts of how it is that God allows these things to happen for His greater purpose and yet He is so full of love that He created us to in turn shine His glory?! 

SO, how do I shine God's glory in these horribly dark and painful places? and as I'm thinking this, the speaker says something like this, "we are here to be their voices, to advocate for the rights of all people." well, there ya go: how do I shine God's glory? by loving His children and being the voice for the oppressed!

after the morning meeting, we all walked over to the capital and students took turns at the microphone speaking on behalf of an advocacy project or social justice issue or oppressed population that they are passionate about and want to raise awareness for. after listening to a few students and clapping at the "God Bless" at the end of every speech (and taking about 100 pictures of toe-touches and statue-climbing), a group of us went in to explore this beautiful capital building of ours! we went to meet our representative and discuss poverty in Waco, but he was out of the office. eating BBQ I presume (umm, it smelled like brisket). and then after several more pictures and almost destroying state property and pledging allegiance to the flag to gain forgiveness from texas, we headed on over to eat some grub grub at Gruero's nommmmmm

2 beers and 13 tortillas later, we were cruising back down Congress to hit up Urbs (Urban Outfitters for you non-hipsters/normals) and then snatched some coffee-ness at The Coffee Bean. the guys were cute and nice and thought I was really funny (a plus), but the drinks were some doody! finally, it was time to face traffic and try not to commit murder-by-road-rage with my riding buddies... at last, we pulled in to Waco asleep at the wheel and now here I am: watching the Mavs womp the Knicks and putting off homework for as long as possible.

change of plans for tomorrow: vball practice tomorrow night. hah.

--game night Thursday!!--

WE ARE THE VOICES OF THE OPPRESSED

nothing new but TOMs.

first, Serge Ibaka has huge arms. the Thunder and Mavs are in a showdown with 46.2 sec left and Ibaka is shooting free throws to put up OKC 92-91.


internship was rather mundane today... well, I got to go to the school and at least interact with children, so that was nice. otherwise, it was an incredibly beautiful day and I wished so badly to be out on the Austin College green with Thomas and Lauren listening to Phipps play guitar and talk about his "half-cup cup." then there was class, of course. who makes a 3 hour class from 4-7pm on a monday??? at least its not on Friday I guess. but we got out early. so I came home and took a nap. clearly.


plans for the week: baseball game wednesday. game night Thursday (CAN'T WAIT). marina Friday. baseball game Friday. vball tourney saturday. house looking and churchhh sunday. HOMEEEEEEE for spring break on monday!


I LOVE KEVIN DURANT AND JAMES HARDEN (aka Abraham Lincoln, Abraham for short.)


goal for tonight, homework (hah. right) and publicizing this here blog and that there tumblr of mine.


in case you're curious about the title - that's right, my new TOMs came in! #firstworldproblems they're the new navajo-inspired botas. I'm so cultural!

oh, OKC won 95-91

day one.

well, its the end of another weekend and the beginning of my commitment to this here blog: I will blog every day (if even one sentence!) about my adventures so that one day when I write my autobiography, I will not have to worry about remembering content!


tonight I cooked dinner for myself. it was pretty cute. I mean, good. grilled honey-balsalmic vinegar chicken and some couscous.. nom! a pretty quiet weekend with both of my two friends gone. watching plenty of basketball and begging people to go to the Baylor baseball games with me because the weather has just been oh.so.beautiful. oh, and being productive with my homework has helped too.


for tonight's post, I will simply state my promise to myself (and you, you one other person reading this):
  1. I will be completely honest and open and replace all familiar names with random ones, like, "reh reh" and "blah blah" and "doody," etc.
  2. I will post every day. even if only for a sentence or two. and on days that I cannot post (its just plain inevitable) then I will provide the most dramatic writing of those lost days' adventures that I can muster. I will also post pictures as often as possible!
  3. and finally, I won't dwell on the past - I will only discuss the current day's events for my records.
  4. oh, and for real finally, when my autobiography is published, all three of you who read this blog will receive a free copy. because I know that's exactly what you were hoping for.

awake my soul.

awake my soul

O Lord

this fire

it's dwindling

it's weak

it's quiet

awake my soul!

a spark

to ignite

this heart of mine

back from the dark

into the

light

help me to fight

this

cold

dark

dwindling flame

it's small

but strong

O my God!

this soul of mine

it's weary

but for You

I call

I crawl

awake my

soul

this light is Yours

it yearns

for You

learning to love.

it's been awhile since I've been on this thing. I guess I just don't have much to say... but so much has happened. these past seven months have been one of the biggest roller coasters of my life and yet here I am.....surviving. actually....thriving? I don't know, it's been one of the most challenging chapters of my life so far and I can only trust that I am being prepared for great and mighty things.

I don't know where I'm headed. when I first came to Waco, I was questioning every move I had made up until starting grad school. I was so sure I was in the Lord's will and following his direction and then the floor is blown up from underneath me and I felt I was barely hanging onto the edge of a giant canyon. I was confused and hurt and angry and bitter and lost. I just felt lost.

...

yet, I am feeling the love of Jesus. He makes himself REACHABLE, TOUCHABLE. He notices me! He hears me! I am learning His love. His great, unfathomable love that I was convinced had passed me over. I am learning what grace is. what mercy is. what forgiveness is. my pain is paving the path of my life and I am simply putting one foot in front of the other. what is this peace that I feel? such a numb heart with a slowly healing, gaping wound. seven months ago, I hated. today, I find joy and peace and rest in forgiveness? in faith and hope? what a bizarre moment I am in at this place in my journey. there are major things I am to accomplish for the kingdom of God and I am yearning for the Holy Spirit's whispered guidance as intently as I can.

maybe I should have written three separate posts. this is so jumbled and I can hardly understand myself. but somehow it all melds together...

I spent this morning hanging out with Waco's homeless population; Project Homeless Connect offered services and education and health screenings to those that are homeless. I feel so encouraged and humbled and thrilled at the experience I had today. not necessarily because I volunteered my time to help others, but really because of Edwin. this 62 year old man spent an hour and a half of his time with me and had me smiling for the rest of the day. what a kind heart and a gentle spirit! at one point, he looked at me and asked, "why are you doing this? is it because of your spirituality?" at first I was stunned, I hadn't really expected this question (plus, it was 8am). and then I thought for second about why I really was at the convention center. then I told him, "well I guess, yes. Jesus did this." Edwin smiled and all he said was, "oh yes. He told us to go out and be with the least of them." God you are here! throughout the morning I was so content getting to know all of these interesting people around me and serving them. not only those that are homeless, but my peers and fellow volunteers as well. what an incredibly humbling experience and an educative opportunity to expand my knowledge of how I can best serve those around me.

I am learning to love.

heartbroken.

what an incredibly sad world we live in.

i've had to sit with so many people and kids and hear such awful life experiences that sometimes i find myself numb to it all..until im eating lunch and the highschool girl behind me starts word vomiting terrible things as if it's just another day for her, and it brings me back.

i went to panera yesterday for some food and a high school girl and guy walked in and sat behind me. before they even sat down and got their food, the girl was already unloading to her friend how much she hates her mom and how terrible her mom is and how badly she cant wait to get away and about all the arguments her and her mom get into - it broke my heart! here is this beautiful, young little girl (a BABY!) and she has these huge adult troubles that no one should have to go through..

after expressing her hatred for her mom, she started having a typical conversation as if the things she were going through were normal for anyone - explaining how her mother yells at her about working hard to put food on the table but they live on food stamps. and how she has to carpool with her siblings and friends because they dont all have cars and live in the same apartment complex. this girl didnt ask for any of these things, this situation that strains her family's relationship..

what an awful horrible disgusting world we live in! we are just babies..especially these tiny little girls and boys who are just now going through high school and have an entire world of pressure on their shoulders. and its only going to get worse. what can be done? the world is seriously coming to an end...and jesus is coming soon :)

it's rough.

i was so spoiled last year! now everything is turned upside down.

i'm ready for what's next...